ATM worker accused of using fake money during thefts

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A former ATM worker has been charged with stealing some $200,000 from bank machines in San Francisco and Daly City by stuffing them with fake bills.

Samuel Gregory Kioskli, 63, of San Francisco, allegedly went to seven different banks – six in San Francisco – on July 4, and replaced cash in the ATM trays with photocopied $20 bills, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said Thursday.

Kioskli, an employee of Ohio-based Diebold, which services ATMs for the Bank of America, was caught on camera at each of the ATMs, Wagstaffe said.

The next day, Kioskli “abandoned his wife and home and disappeared,” Wagstaffe said.

His wife reported him missing to police. The thefts were discovered when ATM customers withdrew the “obviously counterfeit” cash, according to prosecutors.

Kioskli was found early this month during a routine traffic stop in Phoenix, Wagstaffe said. He was arrested and extradited back to California.

Kioskli is facing prosecution both in San Francisco and San Mateo counties.

In court proceedings in San Mateo County, Kioskli pleaded not guilty to felony charges including burglary, embezzlement and possession of counterfeiting apparatus.

He remains in custody on $25,000 bail.

Kioskli was set to appear in South San Francisco Felony Court Thursday for a superior court review conference, Wagstaffe said.